Once a year, we gather to recognize those who have truly made their mark on the city’s sports scene: from the home-run hitters and KO punchers to those who lift up their mates when all seems lost. They’re our friends, our family and, occasionally, our blood-thirsty rivals.
This year, the F45 & That’s Shanghai Sports Awards will take place at The Camel on February 8, with people's choice voting opening January 11.
After the last couple of years' fundraising heroics, we will be also recognizing the sports team that raises the most money for charity over the course of the awards. Oh, and there will be a raffle fundraiser on the night, with all money raised going to the Baobei Foundation.
And now, without further ado, here are the nominations for Personality of the Year:
Andrea Speranza - Yeyu, Azzuri (Football)
Andrea co-founded the YEYU App back in 2016 together with Alex Zhao. Since then he has been bringing together sports communities, studying different amateur sports and trying to provide a social mobile platform so that every community, sports leader and participant gets to interact with each other more easily and make their life happier through sports. Andrea is creating the Linkedin of sports with his vision, passion and dedication.
Andrew Wong - Triathlon
What stands out about Andrew is not just his passion and drive for triathlons, but ultimately his commitment to being a better version of himself. It’s completely changed his life for the better. What’s even more inspiring is that he’s always there to share and support his framily, friends and the community around him - to get everyone to take a leap and challenge, so that they can be a better version of themselves. He’s also a great cook - trying to learn new recipes for vegan and vegetarian athletes; there should be bonus points for that!
Bruno & JJ & Bernard - Dolphins (Rugby)
Nominated last year, this double punch of fury has put the whole sporting community on high alert! The French front row connection who are both loved and feared by every team in China (and around Asia) were only made more formidable by the emergence of Bernard. The Jeckel to Bruno’s Hyde left a massive (often red) impression on all who he competed with or socialized against. Even at proper Prop size this front row provides pound for pound value in the personality steaks!
Edita Wu - FitFam
Her laughter, enthusiasm, personality and expertise inspires FitFam day in and day out. Her 100 percent commitment to FitFam workouts, trainings and lifestyle has shaped many FitFam of different ages, shapes, nationalities and professions. Edita keeps innovating and engaging those around her to return and connect, whether its hundreds of people or single digits. She is a breath of fresh air, with her charisma and positivity and has been important in the growth of FitFam in 2017.
Hans von Meister – Shanghai Hockey Club
It goes without saying that anytime you bring up the SHC, invariably this guy’s name comes up. Plus-sized, boastful, and unnervingly knowledgeable about the location of every 24/7 McDonald’s throughout greater Shanghai, this glorious bastard provides the welcoming atmosphere that every 15-year-old rookie in the league looks forward to. Always willing to take on a mentoring role, Hansy happily takes younger players under his wing, usually with a face-splitting smile and hearty laugh. His impressively quick-for-a-guy-with-sausage-fingers WeChat commentary is also something for the guys in the league to emulate, though nobody pulls it off quite as good as ol’ Hansel.
Hazel Zheng - Underwater Hockey
An everyday Wonder Woman, behind that cheeky smile is a lady of steel. Hazel is the fittest and most over-achieving female underwater hockey player. In one year she served as club president for the Shanghai Azures Underwater Hockey Club, deputy director for the third China Cup in Hangzhou and director of the second Rookie Cup in Changchun. In her free time, she completed the Spartan Race Beijing, joined FitFam workouts and oh-just-about five 10KM running events in between. Her biggest secret? She cannot swim without her fins, yet as an underwater hockey player she continues to inspire newbies and females to never underestimate their potential.
Jay Jay - Boxing
A single mom and cancer survivor, Jay Jay recovered from Lymphoma cancer about five years ago. Since the start of 2017, she began to take working out seriously and made it to fight in Brawl on the Bund this past December. Twice in her life she has reached 100kg (once because of giving birth to her daughter who is now 13, the second time due to chemotherapy). Learning from her previous experience she now works to eat healthy and workout regularly, not only to help benefit her, but also to encourage others to join with her. If she can do it, so can you.
Jordan Ercoloni - SWIFC (Women’s Football)
A leader from the club’s start, Jordan has spurred the growth of women’s football in Shanghai. Helping run regular practices, working behind-the-scenes to secure field spaces and tournament venues, creating innovative marketing strategies to encourage growth, designing uniforms and building strong team bonds through social events. SWIFC would not have reached its level of growth without her devotion to the club, regardless of how many of her own players she’s left a mark on along the way with her powerful shots (and body checks)!
Kate Fanning - Gaelic
Kate Fanning is an exceptional Gaelic footballer who is constantly smiling on and off the pitch. Kate has shown dedication to GAA both in Shanghai and in Ireland as a young athlete. She continuously attends training sessions to improve her fitness as well as support those on her team. Kate’s positive attitude, desire to win, and kind heart have made her an irreplaceable teammate and friend. She continuously kicks amazing points while simultaneously providing quality entertainment by singing and dancing to Latin American music. Kate’s tippy toes both in matches and on the dance floor make her an excellent candidate for Sports Personality of the Year.
Richardson - Insanity Live Certified Instructor, Vegan Athlete
Not only is Richardson an enthusiastic Insanity instructor whose style, energy, and attentiveness could motivate any couch potato, but he's also active in numerous fitness communities around Shanghai. He started the WeChat group "Upcoming Sports-Fitness Events&WS" (494 members) to share local fitness activities and opportunities, and inspires those around him to join him in pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. His genuine and positive nature shine through when he goes out of his way to support others in the fitness community and also causes that he cares about. When hearing the phrase “sports personality," the first person that comes to mind is Richardson.
How to Vote
Voting for the People's Choice Awards begins January 11 via WeChat. Follow us at Thats_Shanghai or by scanning our QR Code and message our account 'sports awards'.
Feb 8, 7pm, free entry. The Camel, see event listing.
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